Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-25
Mr.. MEGILP'S PICTURE.

Mr.. Michael Angelo Megilp was Young
artist Of some performance and of consider
able promise. But. like many other men
in that position, he was often heavily han
dicapped by the want of ready money, for
though his pictures were tolerably well
spoken Of by the critics and lauded to the
skies by his friends, the picture dealers gave
him only very moderate price for them
Still, IN spite of this drawback, Megilp
being of cheerful, happy -go-lueky dispo
sitior. kept up his courage, worked early
and late in his studio, and believed firmly
that some day favorable turn in his af.
fairs would come. He had married a
young lady possessed of more beauty than
fortune; in fact, Mrs Megilp's marriage
portion Of $500 only just paid for the fur
nishIng OF the house and studio al Ken
siDgton. where the young couple began
housekeeping.
But, with the best intentions. the young
wife was not a very skiiiful manager, so grad
ually the Megilps glided into debt, and in
due course the tradespeople became FESTIVE
and refused further supplies until their lit
tie bills we're paid. When Michael Angelo
ana his wife came to add up their liabilities
they found that they amounted to nearly
f200, sum total which seemed terrific to
poor little Mrs Megilp.
Z" Where on earth can we get 600,
Angy?" she cried, clasping her hands
tragically. "All your pictures, even if
you could sell them, wouldn't fetch half
that"
There's the furniture, you know,
Madge,n hazarded Megilp. 1T was
bought with your money What do you
say to ="
"Oh, don't-dois't sell it; / couldn't bear
to part with all my pretty things" she in
terrupted, with loving glance round her
drawing-room, which was quite 4 picture
of modest elegance.
shouldn't think of asking you to
make such sacrifice, my dear" replied
Michael Angelo soothingly; but we could
raise GOO on it easily"
You're quite-qHite sure the furniture
would be safe?'
Perfectly sure and / think know the
man who will do the business-a bill of
sale, you know-not half q bad way of
raising money"
Accordingly Megilp went next morning
down 10 Wardour street, and in a dirty
little bric-a brac shop he unearthed the
worthy lsraelite who was to oblige him
with the loan.
You want goo on bill of sale on your
furniture2 said Mr.. Zerubbabbel, when
the artist had explained his errand. 81
must come down to your house and see
what you have got before / can give you
an answer"
Surely you can take my word that there
is more than ample security for the amount
| want. Besides presents, we ourselves
spent over f60O only two years ago" re,
piled Michael Angelo angrily.
w Eort1hha hol lai6 hic fof foraf;noa,
along his great, hooked nose and winked
adding
al dare say. Still I'd rather have look
SIT it before we do business. If you give
me your address, I'll call on you to-mor.
row morning"
Michael Angelo swallowed his vexation
as best he could gave his address, and left
the bric-a-brac shop.
Mr. Zerubbabel duly paid his visit of in.
spection, ard in the course OF a few days
the negotiation was a fat GccOmph. The
Megips paid Their bills, the tradespeople
smiled once more on HRS. Megilp, and
matters vent on quite smoothly for several
months The interest on the goo was
punctuai.y pGid, and early in the veal
Michael Angelo finished the picture he in.
tended 20 send in TO Burlington House.
Every one who entered the studio pro
phesied great things of this picture, and
Her Chickens was, so far, Megilp's chg
Fo1tusd The artist himself founded all
his hopes OF fame on this charming work
- won't take penny less than $500 fol-
it. he said TO his wife after the visit of 6
distinguished art critic to his studio. Car.
per says it Will take the town by storm
and 50 it will"
II wish you could sell it soon, sighed
Mrs Megilp 81 often feel uncomfortable
rraaRftal hill ofc ata--itc Ei-f
wbat's-his names sword hanging over oul
heads
Oh, the furniture is safe enough" re
piled Michael Angelo lightly. But l tel
YOU what 1t is, Madge, il handicaps ms
frightfully TO have bill of sale registered
against me"
Why don't you go and see Zerubbabe
and try TO come to terms with him" sug
eested Mrs. Megilp. "Of course he ha:
heard of 'Chloe'-every one has-and i
You promise to pay him when you hay'
sold your picture, surely he can't refuse Il
Give Won back that horrid document"
Though hardly taking this optimistic
view of matters, Megilp acted on his wife!
advice, and forthwith paid visit to Mr.
Zerubbabefs shop.
When he had preferred his request, th,
brio a-brac seller smiled and shook hi
head.
Micah ZerubbabeI wasn't born yester
day" he said, with cunning look in hi
twinkling black eyes. Your pictur'
mayn't be worth five-pound note"
Its worth at least $500, broke in tn,
artist, reddening. "Carper SAID so"
Who's Carper? But even if the pictur,
were worth $500, y grinned Mr.. Zerubbabel
''it wouldn't pay me to buy Ii at such |
price But why do you want to quash tn
bill of sale?"
- want to be rid of the business.
doesn't suit me to have thing of this sor
hanging over me-in fact it is against m
:. Better find the goo them replied th
monev-lender insolently; but PERSONAL.
i am not fond OF buying pigs in pokes, o
pictures By unknown artists, though per
haps other people may be. 1t Is, however
for you 10 and them, not Tor me. troo'
morning, my dear sir. Sorry can't obiig
you"
Horrid old scamp muttered Megilp
as he left ZerubbabePs shop and turned IN
face westward.
Not to be caught by chat, my fin,
shentle1nan.n commented the amiable brio
a-brac dealer, turning back into his ding,
abode. You don't get oil your bargain
so easily as that" Then he proceeded L
unlock fireproof safe in the corner OF hi
sanctum, and gloated greedily over tn
documents reposing therein, document
which represented some remarkably har,
Bargains driven by Mr.. Zerubbabel with hi
lawful prey, men in difficulties. He wa
interrupted in this pleasant recreation, on
in which he usually spent any spare mo
nents he could snatch from business. b.
the entrance of friend and compatriot
one Abiram Levi, q picture-dealer by pro
fession.
After an exchange of amicable greeting
the two gentlemen spent half an hour o
On in confidential conversation on the stat
of their respective trades; then as pleas
ant disbursement after this head work
thew imbibed several glasses of brand
and water and smoked as many high fla
ycred cigars.